Law enforcement businesses in Hong Kong have arrested 4 asylum seekers and an undocumented immigrant at a suspected unlicensed restaurant working out of a flat which allegedly served canine and cat meat.
Officers seized 35kg (77lbs) of suspected frozen canine and cat meat from the flat on Shanghai Street in Mong Kok as a part of a joint operation on Thursday carried out by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and police.
The 500 sq ft flat on the second ground of a tenement block features a kitchen, three rooms – two bedrooms and a separate room with two eating tables – in addition to a lounge with a eating desk, in accordance with a police supply.
Hong Kong authorities probe suspected sale of canine meat amid uproar over advert
Hong Kong authorities probe suspected sale of canine meat amid uproar over advert
Authorities launched the joint operation after receiving experiences of people allegedly promoting canine and cat meat on the premises, a spokesman from the fisheries division mentioned.
Samples of the seized meat will endure testing to find out whether it is from the animals. Authorities additionally found menus in Vietnamese on the premises indicating dishes containing meat from the animals.
A 16-year-old boy, together with a 27-year-old man and a 43-year-old lady, all non-refoulement claimants, had been arrested on expenses associated to serving dishes on the web site.
The supply mentioned a 50-year-old non-refoulement claimant – Hong Kong’s de facto asylum seeker standing – had been serving delicacies ready with suspected canine and cat meat within the flat for six months. He was arrested on suspicion of working a restaurant with out a license.
The 4 had been detained on expenses of animal cruelty and violating the circumstances of their keep below immigration legal guidelines.
A 33-year-old man, suspected of being on the flat to fulfill acquaintances, was discovered to have entered mainland China illegally, in accordance with authorities. He allegedly travelled to the mainland by hiding in a truck on Monday and subsequently took a ship to succeed in Hong Kong, resulting in his arrest on expenses of unlawful immigration.
Hong Kong store investigated over suspected sale of cat, canine meat for meals
Hong Kong store investigated over suspected sale of cat, canine meat for meals
The fisheries division spokesman mentioned the 50-year-old man may face prosecution for working an unlicensed restaurant in violation of the Food Business Regulation if proof was discovered.
Hong Kong doesn’t grant asylum because the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention doesn’t apply to town. Instead, it affords non-refoulement, which ensures that asylum seekers won’t be returned to a rustic the place they had been vulnerable to persecution or torture.
Those who’re granted refugee standing can keep within the metropolis till they’re resettled to a 3rd nation. They usually are not allowed to work whereas their functions are being assessed.
The slaughter and sale of canine and cat meat is against the law in Hong Kong, with offenders dealing with as much as six months in jail and a most tremendous of HK$5,000.
The spokesman mentioned prosecution can be pursued if testing confirmed that the seized meat originated from dogs or cats.
Buyer of HK$25 noodles loses HK$415,000 in new twist to Hong Kong canine meat rip-off
Buyer of HK$25 noodles loses HK$415,000 in new twist to Hong Kong canine meat rip-off
“The [department] will not tolerate having dog or cat flesh for consumption and will follow up seriously,” the spokesman mentioned.
It suggested members of the general public to report any suspected circumstances to the division by calling 1823.
Authorities in November final yr launched an investigation into a web based dealer after ads exhibiting suspected canine meat had been discovered on-line.
In April final yr, the operator of a frozen meat store on Reclamation Street in Yau Ma Tei was jailed for 10 weeks for promoting feline meat with claims it was from Kaiping in Guangdong province. The 40-year-old was arrested after authorities found traces of cat meat amongst samples taken from the shop throughout a raid.
The industrial slaughter and sale of canine meat has been prohibited on the mainland since May 2020, with the coverage taking impact a month after Shenzhen and Zhuhai launched their very own citywide bans on the consumption of canine and cat meat.
